Five inducted into Hall of Fame

A tireless advocate for the Latino community who was “more of an angel than a man,” a big-hearted Shelton High School secretary always ready to help students, the all-time points leader for the Shelton Highclimbers boys basketball team, a longtime math teacher who wouldn’t give up on her students, and an inspirational teacher and track coach last week were inducted into the Shelton School District and Community Hall of Fame.

Respectively, Ricardo del Bosque, Jamie Dobson, Chris McGee, Connie Jo Nelson and Doug Sells were celebrated at a ceremony June 7 in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center.

Five youths wrote and gave presentations on the five inductees. Del Bosque died from COVID at the age of 59 in February 2021, and Dobson from an automobile accident in September 2019, but their families attended the ceremony, as did McGee, Nelson and Sells.

Rosalydia Pedro Vasquez, a Shelton High School sophomore, described del Bosque as “more of an angel than a man.”

The immigrant from Saltillo, Mexico, was hired as a paraeducator in the Shelton School District in the early 1990s. He was known by the honorary title of “Don.”

“Ricardo helped with immigration, CPS reports, shelters, clothes, food and so much more,” Vasquez said. “He spoke up for the ones who couldn’t. Don Ricardo made sure there was at least one person who spoke Spanish in every school so everyone could get the help they needed.”

She added, “He also never took credit; he always gave the credit to the ‘team.’ He was a mentor to students and friends, he was a leader, someone to look up to. His co-workers say he deserves more than being in the Hall of Fame, because he was the heart of this community and voice for the Latino community.”

Karen Rivas Barnes inducted Dobson, who started working at her alma mater, Shelton High School, in 2004 and became the counseling center secretary soon after that. She was president of the Shelton Education Office Professionals.

“She was always ready to help,” Barnes said. “Students, staff and district staff knew that if you needed help with anything, Jamie was there to help. She welcomed everyone and accepted everyone, no matter what.”

Barnes added, “She was a devoted role model for many of those who knew her and her children. She was an inspiration to everyone. Jamie was the type of person who would look at the smallest detail, she could make sure nothing would go wrong in the future. Jamie will always be remembered for how big her heart was.”

Shelton High School sophomore Richard Beckman introduced McGee.

McGee played for the Shelton Highclimbers basketball team from 1976 to 1978 and scored 716 points, still a team record. The team won the state championship during McGee’s sophomore year, and he was selected for all-league and all-state honors. He achieved both of those honors in his senior year, when the Highclimbers finished second in the state basketball tournament.

“Chris set the example of what it means to be a Climber athlete, and we want to honor his basketball legacy with a spot in the Shelton Hall of Fame,” Beckman said.

“I had great teammates,” McGee told the audience. “That’s basically why I’m here.”

Ian Cross introduced Nelson, a longtime math teacher in the district before becoming a consultant for school districts.

“Here is the story from one of her lucky students,” he said. “They’d been lonesome and brought down by things they could not control, such as moves, and they had no place to fit in. They felt as though they might as well be phasing through teachers, unnoticed by all. Then they were put in math with Mrs. Nelson as she finally lit the flame. She pushed them to understand and didn’t allow giving up, not only when they were her students in class but for as long as they belonged to the Shelton School District. That student is now a proud graduate of Shelton High School.”

Nelson’s relatives traveled from far and wide to see her receive the honor, and she was met with great affection.

“I got the biggest hugs and felt the biggest love from my former students,” Nelson said.

Ashleigh Rawley introduced Sells, who was her adviser and teacher when she was in the eighth grade.

“During my first year at a brand-new school where I knew no one, he helped me with any questions I had, was somebody I could go to for advice, and just an overall great person,” she said. “I am not the only student he has made an impact on. I mean, he is nominated for the Hall of Fame after all.”

Rawley pointed out that Sells is the most decorated track and field athlete in the school’s history. When he graduated in 1999, he held seven school records and 22 class records. He has coached the track team for the past 18 years, and teaches engineering at Oakland Bay Junior High School.